Cyclones to Host Cowboys in Big 12 Opener

11.22.2011 | Men's Wrestling

By: cyclones.com

AMES, Iowa - The No. 22 Iowa State wrestling team plays host to No. 2 Oklahoma State Friday in the first Big 12 meet of the season. The match will begin at 7 p.m. (CST) in Hilton Coliseum. Both the Cyclones and Cowboys search for their first dual victory of the season as Iowa State is 0-3 in dual competition. Oklahoma State has yet to compete in a 2011-12 dual match.

Three Cyclones return to Hilton with undefeated dual records. No. 12 Ryak Finch (125), No. 5 Andrew Sorenson (165) and No. 15 Boaz Beard (184) all sport 3-0 dual records. Both Finch and Beard will face Cowboy opponents ranked eighth in their respective weight classes. Sorenson will either face No. 11 Dallas Bailey or unranked Chris Chionuma at 165 pounds. All three Cyclone grapplers moved up a spot in the rankings after solid performances against Old Dominion Sunday.

Redshirt freshman Joey Cozart got a feel for dual competition after Iowa State head coach Kevin Jackson penciled him into the lineup for the first time in a dual meet against Old Dominion. After an injury plagued Mike Moreno at 157 pounds, Jackson bumped Cozart up a weight class and the Brandon, Fla., native proved he could hold his own. Cozart is coming off a tight battle against Monarch Brennan Brumley in which the Cyclone posted a takedown 16 seconds into the sudden victory period for the win.

Cyclone fans may get a chance to see redshirt freshman Kyven Gadson on the mat for the first time Friday. Even without competing yet this season, Gadson ranks 13th at 197 pounds. If the Waterloo native gets the nod for Friday he will have his work cut our for him against No. 2 Cayle Byers. Redshirt freshman Mike England may reenter the Cyclone lineup after upsetting then-No. 5 Hunter Meys of Boston University in the second dual match of the year. No. 7 Chris Spangler ousted England in a Cyclone wrestle-off Thursday for the starting spot against Old Dominion, but either grappler could be in the mix against the Cowboys.

Oklahoma State claimed nine of the 10 possible titles at the Central Missouri Open Nov. 13. All but one of Oklahoma State's wrestlers are ranked in the top 20 of their weight class. Leading the way for the Cowboys is top-ranked 133-pounder Jordan Oliver, who looks to defend his NCAA Championship crown this season. Both Jamal Parks (149) and Cayle Byers (197) are ranked second nationally for Oklahoma State.

Who: Iowa State (0-3 dual competition) vs. Oklahoma State (0-0 dual competition)
Where: Ames, Iowa - Hilton Coliseum
When: Friday, Nov. 25, 7 p.m. CST
Live Stats: Live stats will be available at www.trackwrestling.com
TV: Webcast available at www.cyclones.com

Live Blog: Members of the Iowa State athletics communications staff will be holding a live blog throughout the meet. Fans are encouraged to participate and ask questions on the blog at www.cyclones.com. The blog will be open approximately 10 minutes before the match begins Friday.

Iowa State probable starters:
125: Ryak Finch, RFr., 7-0/3-0
133: Shayden Terukina, Fr., 4-1/0-1 or Brandon Jones, RFr., 0-0/0-0
141: Luke Goettl, RFr., 0-0/0-0 or RJ Hallman, RFr., 2-2/0-1
149: Luke Swalla, Fr., 0-0/0-0 or Mike Moreno, RFr., 0-2/0-2
157: Joey Cozart, RFr., 7-1/1-0
165: Andrew Sorenson, RSr., 7-0/3-0
174: Chris Spangler, RJr., 0-1/0-1 or Mike England, RFr., 4-1/1-1
184: Boaz Beard, RSo., 3-0/3-0
197: Cole Shafer, RSo., 5-2/1-2 or Kyven Gadson, RFr., 0-0/0-0
285: Matt Gibson, RJr., 1-0/1-0

Oklahoma State probable starters:
125: Ladd Rupp, So., 5-0
133: Jordan Oliver, Jr., 0-0
141: Josh Kindig, So., 0-0 or Julian Feikert, RFr., 4-2
149: Jamal Parks, Sr., 5-0
157: Albert White, Sr., 6-0
165: Dallas Bailey, So., 4-1 or Chris Chionuma, Sr., 4-0
174: Chris McNeil, Sr., 5-0
184: Chris Perry, So., 4-0
197: Cayle Byers, Sr., 7-0
285: Alan Gelogaev, Jr., 4-0

Cyclone Notebook
-Iowa State looks for its first dual victory and Big 12 victory against the Cowboys Friday.
-Redshirt senior Andrew Sorenson bumped up another spot in the rankings this week and now sits at the No. 5 spot at 165 pounds.
-Sorenson is 3-0 in dual competition this season and 7-0 overall.
-Six Cyclones are ranked in the top 20 of their weight divisions by Intermat.
No. 5 Andrew Sorenson (165)
No. 10 Chris Spangler (174)
No. 12 Ryak Finch (125)
No. 15 Boaz Beard (184)
No. 13 Kyven Gadson (197)
No. 18 Matt Gibson (HWT)

A Look at Oklahoma State University
-The Cowboys have not yet participated in dual competition.
-Oklahoma State won nine of the possible 10 titles at the Central Missouri Open in Warrensburg, Mo., Nov. 13.
-Junior Jordan Oliver is the top-ranked wrestler at 133 pounds and was an NCAA champion last year, finishing the season undefeated at 29-0.
-The Cowboys are coached by six-time World Champion and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist John Smith.
-Smith is Oklahoma State's winningest coach and has been at the helm of five NCAA Championship teams.